Douluo: I am the True Master

However, Xu Tianran was no ordinary individual. Despite being physically impaired, he had achieved the rank of Title Douluo at a young age—a true genius. After venting his frustration briefly, he quickly regained his composure. 

Xu Tianran fixed his gaze on Kong Deming and asked in a low voice, "Kong Lao, I've read the reports. That Xuan Zi from Shrek has only recently broken through to Level 99. He's far weaker than the former Dragon God Douluo Mu En. Why did you lose? 

I don't think it's as simple as that. Give me a more reasonable explanation." 

After all, they had defeated the quasi-divine Mu En, yet struggled against Xuan Zi, who had just reached Level 99. 

Kong Deming knew that if he, as an eyewitness, didn't explain carefully, it might create a rift between him and his sovereign. After some thought, he explained, 

"Your Majesty, though Xuan Zi is weaker than the former Dragon God Douluo, he possesses dual attributes—space and earth elements—which strongly counter my Level 10 soul-guided device. 

Furthermore, Hall Master Hongchen has only recently broken through to become a Level 10 soul mentor. While his combat power is impressive, Xuan Zi's defensive capabilities far exceed our expectations. And for some unknown reason, Xuan Zi obtained something akin to our painstakingly developed Level 9 soul power storage device early on, which is why the battle has reached a stalemate. 

Moreover, after we defeated the Dragon God Douluo, it seems intelligence about my Level 10 soul-guided device leaked. During the fight, Xuan Zi constantly disrupted our formations, preventing me from using my ultimate technique." 

After listening to Kong Deming's report, Xu Tianran remained expressionless, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the ornate throne. After a long pause, he finally spoke. 

"So, are you suggesting that someone on our side leaked the technology for the soul power storage device?" 

Kong Deming's face darkened, and he hurriedly denied it. 

"How could Your Majesty say such a thing? Every one of our Level 9 soul mentors in the Sun Moon Empire is fiercely loyal. It's absolutely impossible for them to leak such a top-secret technology. 

I believe the most likely scenario is that Shrek sought the help of someone from Tian Xing Academy. After all, our inspiration for the soul power storage technology came from that person's soul-guided armor technology." 

"Reasonable," Xu Tianran murmured, lowering his head slightly. 

By now, the spread of this technology was already a fait accompli. No amount of speculation would change that. With a serious expression, Xu Tianran turned to Kong Deming and asked, 

"This matter will be set aside for now. 

Kong Grand Elder, do you have any way to deal with that Taotie Douluo? Though our Sun Moon Empire is blessed with talent, we cannot sustain this high-cost war indefinitely." 

Unifying the Douluo Continent was not only the dream of every emperor in the Sun Moon Empire's history—it was also Kong Deming's long-held aspiration. Since the battle had reached a stalemate, Kong Deming had been contemplating ways to break the deadlock. 

He already had a plan in mind and answered Xu Tianran with seriousness and determination. 

"Your Majesty, I request ten Level 9 soul-guided cannon shells." 

At this point, Kong Deming paused, leaving his sentence unfinished. Xu Tianran, being a sharp-minded individual, immediately understood Kong Deming's intent. 

The next moment, Xu Tianran dismissed the other officials in the hall, instructing them to return to their respective duties. 

At its core, the war between the Sun Moon Empire and the Douluo forces hinged on the unparalleled strength of both sides' supreme fighters. 

When dealing with enemy unparalleled fighters, even the most loyal ministers could make fatal mistakes if specific plans were carelessly divulged. Thus, Kong Deming and Xu Tianran had to tread carefully. 

Once the hall was empty, only Kong Deming, Xu Tianran, and Ju Zi, seated in the rear, remained. 

Ju Zi sat there naturally. 

Though her marriage to Xu Tianran was in name only, Ju Zi had risen to a position akin to a prime minister through her exceptional political acumen. She now held authority second only to the emperor himself. 

Xu Tianran looked at Kong Deming earnestly and asked, "Kong Lao, tell me your detailed plan. Though Level 9 cannon shells are incredibly powerful, they're not enough to kill a Limit Douluo." 

Kong Deming practiced blind loyalty; whoever sat on the throne was his master, and he was willing to sacrifice his life for them. Without hesitation, he replied directly, 

"The theoretical power of a single Level 9 soul-guided cannon shell is equivalent to the full-strength attack of a Limit Douluo. However, as research has deepened, Your Majesty and I both know that its power falls far short of Mu En's level. After fighting Xuan Zi, I believe it matches the force of his full-strength attack. 

But his defense is much stronger. A single Level 9 cannon shell won't kill him—it might only cause slight panic. However, I have an idea. If we concentrate all ten Level 9 cannon shells to detonate at the same time and place, even Xuan Zi's astonishing physical defenses would surely result in his death." 

As he finished speaking, Kong Deming raised his right hand and clenched it tightly in the air, his eyes filled with ruthless determination. 

Xu Tianran frowned and said, "But soul masters at that level possess extraordinary perception. They'll sense the danger the moment the cannon shells appear and escape. Do you have a solution, Kong Lao?" 

Kong Deming calmly replied, "Of course, Your Majesty. My plan is to equip these ten Level 9 cannon shells with timed detonation devices, ensuring they explode simultaneously at a predetermined time. 

When the time comes, I'll hide them inside a storage-type soul-guided device and retrieve them at the last moment. Even a Limit Douluo won't have time to react in that split second." 

Upon hearing this, Xu Tianran's expression changed. "Kong Lao! What about you?! If even a Limit Douluo can't escape, then you, carrying those ten Level 9 cannon shells, would be doomed as well!" 

Though Xu Tianran desperately needed victory, he was reluctant to sacrifice someone like Kong Deming—a loyal subject and one of their strongest fighters. 

Having already tasted worldly pleasures and possessing unwavering faith, Kong Deming showed no fear. He pounded his chest with his fist and declared, 

"Your Majesty, everything I do is for the Sun Moon Empire." 

Xu Tianran's expression shifted again. After careful consideration, he reluctantly agreed to Kong Deming's plan. 

However, Xu Tianran added one more condition—if Xiao Ding could be dragged into the explosion as collateral damage, all the better! 

Xu Tianran was a capable emperor, willing to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, even if it meant sacrificing anyone. 

Far from feeling resentment, Kong Deming admired Xu Tianran for his ruthlessness. Inwardly, he thought, 'With such an emperor, how could the Sun Moon Empire not prosper?'

Beside them, Ju Zi's eyes flickered slightly, but she remained silent. 

The next day, the Star Luo and Sun Moon forces resumed their fierce battles. 

Xu Tianran had considered summoning Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao, leaders of the Holy Spirit Sect (now the national religion), to join the battlefield. However, both cited severe injuries as an excuse and retreated to recover.

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